Do you have your copy? If yes, I’d love to hear how it helped you in the comments 👇🏻🙏🏻 If you don’t have it yet, you can get your FREE ’Fretboard Mastery’ eBook when you join my mailing list, and get your fretboard learnt in days. I really should be selling this, but I wanted it to be available to help anyone that’s motivated enough to want to learn and grow. You really should. It helps everything that follows. Links in my bio 👍🏻🙏🏻

1 day ago5649

I was compelled to actually play and record something tonight so (taking inspiration from the D mixolydian key chart) here’s what I came up with. Keeping the tonic in the bass of a chord progression really helps to establish the sound of the mode so I wrote a basic progression of D-Am-G-D but played them as triads over the open D string. This then creates a series of slash chords. They were embellished a little with some sus chords and a little bonus C/D in the Am measure. The improvised solo was trying to hit the chord tones, especially the C note over the Am chord to further establish us clearly in D mixolydian, the C note (the b7) being the characteristic colour tone of the mixolydian mode. I’m determined to keep working on my writing and recording and use IG as a way to d ocument my own progress on the guitar. I still have a LONG way to go. Hope you like it 🙏🏻

1 day ago190753

Another key chart derived from the G major scale. From the 5th degree of the major scale we form the Mixolydian mode. Here are the notes and chords of D Mixolydian. You can think of this as being derived from the G major scale, or a D major scale with a flattened 7th. Share with a tag and leave any questions in the comments 👇🏻👍🏻🙏🏻

Chord of the Day™️ number 2 from yesterday’s video lesson. Remember that any pattern in the hand (chords or scales) can be moved vertically across the string sets as long as we adjust for the major 3rd between strings 3(G) and 2(B). This is essentially the same chord as yesterday, but now rooted in A. 👍🏻🙏🏻

Chord of the Day™️ CHALLENGE…come up with a progression using this chord and I will feature you on my IG story. Have fun 👍🏻🙏🏻

4 days ago231,029

A new chord grip that came to me this morning whilst I was working through some triad shapes. Chords in the key of E major are always fun because they allow you to let the open B and E strings ring out, creating gorgeous chord voicings.

Following on from the major scale chart, here is how the minor scale compares. This is E natural minor (or E aeolian) which shares the notes (and therefore the chords) of the G major scale. Notice how the intervals change and flat symbols are added to the scale degrees and chords to show that the notes are flattened when compared to the E MAJOR SCALE. You can get more insight in my Essential Theory course. Link in bio 🙏🏻👍🏻

WAY overdue but it’s time to fill in the gaps and teach myself the things I missed. Using some great info from @rynaylorguitar and re-writing everything so it sinks in a little deeper. What tools or knowledge helped you learn guitar theory?
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If you’re in Duluth and you want to play, I can offer beer and a 70’s style basement.

TBT to this post which follows on nicely from the G major key chart posted earlier in the week. Here’s a little insight into the mixolydian mode. This breaks down where the scale derives from, and a couple of ways to play it. I always recommend playing and learning a scale horizontally up and down a string so as not to limit yourself to a box pattern. Playing across the strings can be useful too though so the second fretboard diagram is one way you can play the mode across the strings. I think upon this pattern as the E-shape (from the CAGED clarity series). To the major pentatonic pattern we have added the 4 and b7. Any questions in the comments below 👇🏻🙏🏻

25% off ‘Guitar Rut Busters: Essential Theory’ this Valentine’s Day weekend (until midnight Eastern on Sunday February 17th). Here’s a lesson on the kind of insight you can expect in the course. A nice continuation from yesterday’s post, here’s how you can effortlessly find all the chords of any major key using a scale pattern and barre chord shapes. Use coupon code ‘THEORY25’ at checkout for your seat in class. You don’t want to miss out! Link in bio 🙏🏻

Something I deal with frequently as both a guitar teacher and an arranger is a student or client’s unwillingness to branch out and explore deeper chords due to a belief that such chords are used only in jazz. While it’s true that jazz, in its many varieties, makes heavy use of extended chords such as 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths, these chords can be (and frequently are) used in rock, blues, and other genres. At heart, these chords are merely triads (“regular” chords) with one or more “extra” notes added. For example, an A minor 9 is simply an A minor chord with a G note and a B note added. These extra notes give the A minor 9 a deeper, more nuanced feel, but at heart, it’s still an A minor. There are plenty of examples of extended chords in popular music. From “Play That Funky Music,” to “Couldn’t Stand the Weather” to “Stormy Monday Blues” (and countless other bluesy songs) to many rock and pop songs by artists from Santana to Sting to Hall and Oates to many “progressive” rock acts. Extended chords give songs a level of depth without sacrificing groove and hook. To get started, take a simple chord pattern such as A minor to F, and try adding notes on top such a G, a B, and/or a D to the A minor, and perhaps add an E, a G, and/or a B to the F chord. You’ll find yourself breathing new life into a fairly cliché chord sequence. In fact, this is exactly what I did for my song, “The Endless Highway.” Here’s a video explaining how I voiced the chords, and how the whole thing ended up sounding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYrutoiyVy0 So, again, you can play deeper, more sophisticated chords in just about all genres of music. The key is to experiment with different textures, and always look for more creative voicings. So get started, and remember: “jazz” chords are NOT just for jazz. If you are looking to move forward in your playing, please contact me here on Facebook or through my website (www.StudioProMusica.com), and ask about the personalized, interactive independent study program I can create for you.

10 days ago160

Just trialing a new idea. What do you think? Let me know👇🏻 Use this as a barometer to measure your understanding. If you can’t easily name the notes of any major scale or the triads in a key you should definitely check out my ‘Essential Theory’ course. Seventh chords and modes will be in the next instalment coming at some point later in the year. There’s more explanation of this graphic on my website blog so go and check it out, Link in bio 👍🏻🙏🏻

10 days ago784,672

Can you see what’s special about the augmented triad? Not found in major scale harmony, but essential learning none the less. The special characteristic of the augmented triad makes learning the inversion SO much easier…because they’re the same up the strings! The augmented triad is symmetrical. There is an equal distance (a major third) between each note. You get the next inversion by simply taking the shape up four frets. As the triad is symmetrical, any of the three notes it contains could be considered the Root. More on this on my website blog 🙏🏻

Do you have your copy? If yes, I’d love to hear how it helped you in the comments 👇🏻🙏🏻 If you don’t have it yet, you can get your FREE ’Fretboard Mastery’ eBook when you join my mailing list, and get your fretboard learnt in days. I really should be selling this, but I wanted it to be available to help anyone that’s motivated enough to want to learn and grow. You really should. It helps everything that follows. Links in my bio 👍🏻🙏🏻

Triad Number 3 of 4, the diminished triad. We find this in major scale harmony when forming a triad from the major 7th (check out my ‘Essential Theory’ course for more on that!) Here, once again, are the different inversions rooted on C. You can get more insight on this when you enrol in my new course, ‘TRIADS: Inside Out’. Module 2 drops tomorrow. Links in bio yo 👍🏻🙏🏻

15 days ago3818

Here's the latest "The Story Behind the Song":
Yesterday, I wrote about the concept of modal songwriting. Here's a pretty good example from my album, "The Endless Highway."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JtpizLOq1I

New Slice over on my @soundslice_music profile. This is the first exercise from module 1 of TRIADS: Inside Out, my latest video course, now open for enrolment. Get free tabs and the Soundslice link on my website blog. Link in bio 🙏🏻

A new Chord of the Day for you (chord boxes to follow) but now with added video insight. You can find the chord boxes and the full video on my website blog. Would love your thoughts on the new format. Link in bio 🙏🏻

Often, intermediate-level musicians get excited to begin writing melodies or soloing using modes. But what many players often fail to keep in mind is that when we alter a note of a major or minor scale, resulting in a certain mode (for example, raising the 4th scale degree of a major scale gives us the Lydian mode), we also are altering what chords will be available in that given key/mode. Continuing with our Lydian example, in C Lydian, the notes will be C – D – E – F# - G – A – B. (In C major, by contrast, the F note is natural.) In order to make the most of the texture and personality of the mode, we need our chord changes to reflect the mode, not just our melodies. I have encountered many players who run scales featuring altered notes over standard diatonic chord changes, and the result, most often, is bland or worse. On the other hand, if our chord changes reflect the given mode, the result is much deeper, a more profound expression of the mode’s character. So how do we create modal chord changes? There are different ways to think about it, but in a nutshell, we need to build triads and/or 7th chords from the scale degrees of the given mode. This is a very deep topic, but here’s an example. In C Lydian, our chords would be C major (or C major 7, or even more colorful, C major 7 sharp 11); D major (I’d avoid D7, as it will sound like a dominant 7/V chord); E minor (add 9 will add a nice touch); F# minor 7 flat 5; G major (or major 7); A minor (or A minor 7; I really like A minor 13 here); and B minor (I avoid this; it tends to pull the tonal center away from C, much as a D7 chord would). If you are uncomfortable with modes, don’t worry. As I said, it’s a deep topic, but for a great foundation, see my videos “Getting Started with Modes,” and “Modes: A Deeper Understanding,” as well as my video “Which Chord for Which Key,” all of which are available on the Studio Pro Musica YouTube channel. If you are looking to move forward in your playing, please contact me here on Facebook or through my website (www.StudioProMusica.com), and ask about the personalized, interactive independent study program I can create for you.

18 days ago343

When you look back at your notes and say, "What the fuck does that mean?!?"

Having taught guitar for many, many years (probably too many years) I have always tried to tailor my teaching method to make it as easy as possible for beginner guitarists. I have had great results too. It’s extremely satisfying to watch a students journey from only knowing a couple of chords to being able to improvise blues solos by themselves. It’s about equipping them with the right tools and then letting them discover for themselves what is possible. I’ve always taken a practical approach to theory. There’s nothing worse than having to pour through learning material, trying to memorise and then apply that knowledge to your playing. That’s why I am developing a radically new way to learn how to play the guitar. Over the years there have been many different methods and systems guaranteed to get you playing in no time. The problem is, what if you have never picked up an instrument in your life? What if you look at musical notation and have no idea what you’re looking at? What if you look at guitar tab (which is supposed to be simplified) and you have no idea how to play it? GuitarEvolution will provide beginners with an easy to follow system that will get them playing immediately. Just how we will do this is a closely guarded secret at the moment. We wouldn’t want to give away too much, would we? Through a multiple step program we will get newbies playing sooner, with better comprehension and understanding of guitar theory. We’re not just limiting this system to just guitar either. As with musical theory this will apply to many different instruments. Except perhaps a theremin. Sixstringsnthings.com wants to provide guitarists with everything they need to play. The gear, the tools and the knowledge. Stay tuned. #guitartheory#musictheory#guitar#guitarlessons#guitarlesson#electricguitar#playguitar#electricguitars#guitarist#guitarnerds#guitarplayer#chords#teachguitar#leadguitar#guitarscales#rhythmguitar#scales#guitartutor#musiclesson#music#GuitarTheory#guitars#pentatonicscale#musicteacher#musician#guitaristsofinstagram#TheGuitarGenius#guitartutorial#learningguitar

Top tip: Memorise where the Root note is. May sound obvious but many players will learn shapes with no consideration of the intervals within them. Knowing all the interval shapes unlocks a LOT, but at the very least you should know upon which string the Root note is found. Then, with good fretboard knowledge, you can be more confident in playing any triad inversion. Lots more like this to be found in my latest course, TRIADS: Inside Out, on sale now! Link in bio 🙏🏻

21 days ago60489

REPOST: The Circle of Fifths is a great tool and has many uses. In this carousel lesson we’re looking at some of its applications. First and foremost you can work around the circle at each practice session when working on note finding exercises or scale work (or even….ahem…working on your TRIADS 😜). The Co5 is most commonly known for identifying key signatures (sharps or flats contained within a scale/key). We can quickly work out key signatures of major scales (and their relative minor). My favourite application of the Co5 (and perhaps less known) is the ability to see in an instant the 6 main chords in a major or minor key. Very cool and super useful. Hope it helps you. 🙏🏻 in the comments if you’re liking it, and I’m here to take any questions 👍🏻

22 days ago642,946

On Tuesday, I wrote about the difference between a pentatonic and a diatonic scale.
Here's how to use the two together to add greater nuance and feeling to your leads.
Here's the link to the full video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HLsHZWyvlI

22 days ago6047

My first lovely tattoo 💖
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After realising the time demanding part of explaing the signification of this baby, I've just had the idea to explain it over here, and tell people just to read the post 😂
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So.. This is about guitars strings 🎸and intervals 🎼
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First, There are three lines. If you watch them from the elbow to the hand, the are the E, A and D strings of the guitar 🎶 (wich are the strings wich form the roots of the chords in fundamental position).. There are some numbers too. This numbers show the intervals between each string of the guitar in every single fret, starting from the low E string, from A string or D string.
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This helps me a lot to understand And cipher chords while playing (as you can see In the second picture) 🤙🙃 @hens_tattoos_y_rastas was the drawer of my arm. If you live in Barcelona and want a tattoo.. Contact him 🕉️ Hens

22 days ago194

TRIADS: Inside Out is now open for enrolment! 🍾🎉🤪 Module 1 of my new course is now live, ready and waiting for you. Triads are seen and used in countless songs across vastly different genres, making them essential learning. There will be a new module released every week with new insight and exercises to add to your practice routine to enable you to confidently play through any chord progression anywhere on the neck. Sign up now with the link in my bio or via my website 👍🏻🙏🏻

Do you have your copy yet? If not, why not?! Get your FREE ’Fretboard Mastery’ eBook when you join my mailing list, and get your fretboard learnt in days. I really should be selling this, but I wanted it to be available to help anyone that’s motivated enough to want to learn and grow. You really should. It helps everything that follows. Links in my bio 👍🏻🙏🏻

22 days ago8833

Part 1 of my (soon to be released!) course, ‘Triads: Inside Out’ begins with learning all the different triads and their inversions on what I call ‘string set 1’ . When working with closed triad voicing (when the notes all fall within one octave) we split the strings into four sets of three (123, 234, 345, 456). Module 1 starts on the top set of strings. The course will teach you firstly all the triad forms and their inversions and exercises to help with visualisation and memorisation. Doors should be opening before the end of this week! 🙏🏻